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Social Media Influencer’s False Claim About Super Bowl Halftime Show Goes Viral
A false claim about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance has spread rapidly across social media, garnering millions of views despite being quickly debunked by multiple news organizations and the parties involved.
Ed Krassenstein, a prominent left-wing commentator with one million followers on X (formerly Twitter), erroneously stated that the child featured in Bad Bunny’s halftime show was Liam Ramos, a 5-year-old boy who made headlines in January when he and his father were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis.
“Many of you may have missed this, but the little boy who Bad Bunny handed his Grammy to at the Super Bowl was Liam Ramos! Amazing!” Krassenstein wrote on Sunday, accompanying his post with photos of both the child from the performance and Ramos.
The claim quickly went viral, amassing over 10 million views and more than 300,000 likes on the platform. However, multiple reports soon confirmed that the child in the halftime show was actually Lincoln Fox Ramadan, a child actor who had posted about his experience on Instagram.
During the performance, Bad Bunny handed Ramadan a Grammy Award in a scene depicting the child watching the Puerto Rican performer on television accepting an award. The moment had particular significance as Bad Bunny had won a Grammy just days before the Super Bowl and had used his acceptance speech to speak out against ICE, declaring “ICE out” and adding, “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens — we’re humans and we’re Americans.”
After the misinformation began spreading, Krassenstein posted updates to his original claim, first noting “conflicting reports” about the child’s identity and later acknowledging, “according to the latest reports the young child was Lincoln Fox — a child actor.” NPR and other news outlets subsequently published articles confirming this fact, citing statements from Ramos’s family and a representative for Bad Bunny.
The viral misinformation incident highlights the ongoing challenges of verification in the social media era, where claims can reach millions before being fact-checked.
The actual Liam Ramos and his father were released from a detention center in Dilley, Texas, in late January after a judge ordered their release. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) reported on February 1 that he had personally escorted the family back to Minnesota.
Bad Bunny’s halftime performance itself became a lightning rod for controversy beyond the misidentification issue. Former President Donald Trump harshly criticized the show on Truth Social, calling it “absolutely terrible” and “an affront to the Greatness of America.”
“Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World,” Trump wrote.
Bad Bunny, one of the world’s most streamed musical artists, has increasingly used his platform to address political issues. His Grammy speech just days before the Super Bowl deliberately highlighted immigration issues at a time when border policy remains one of the most contentious topics in American politics.
The incident demonstrates how quickly misinformation can spread in today’s media environment, even when coming from accounts with large followings, and how cultural events like the Super Bowl halftime show have become intertwined with broader political and social debates.
Krassenstein did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the false claim.
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9 Comments
I’m curious to learn more about the actual child who was featured in the halftime show. What was his role and experience like being part of such a high-profile performance?
Yes, I’d be interested in hearing from the child actor or his family about the behind-the-scenes details and what it was like to be part of the Super Bowl show.
Interesting that this commentator misidentified the child in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance. It’s important to verify claims before spreading them, especially on social media where misinformation can spread quickly.
Agreed. The real child actor involved deserves the recognition, not someone unconnected to the event.
It’s concerning to see how easily false information can spread on social media, even about something as high-profile as the Super Bowl. Fact-checking is so important these days.
Social media influencers need to be more responsible with the information they share, especially about specific individuals. Spreading unverified claims can have real consequences.
Absolutely. Influential figures should set a good example by verifying facts before posting, to avoid perpetuating misinformation.
It’s disappointing to see this kind of false claim gain so much traction online. Hopefully this serves as a lesson on the importance of checking sources and facts before sharing content.
While the misidentification is unfortunate, I’m glad the actual child involved is getting the proper recognition now. Kudos to the news outlets for quickly debunking the false claim.